Fixing a water heater? - Home Energy Pros2015-03-31T21:22:16Zhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/forum/topics/fixing-a-water-heater?xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHello John (and everyone else…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-09-02:6069565:Comment:1658702014-09-02T19:18:13.586ZSteven Turetskyhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/StevenTuretsky
<p>Hello John (and everyone else in the forum),</p>
<p>I'm a new visitor at this forum and it this is my first post. I look forward to more sharing and learning in the future.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The first condition that I would investigate the "weak draft". Is the flame lazy too? Is the equipment in place the same as what the flue was originally designed for?</p>
<p>I find the best place to contact when at a loss is the manufacturer's technical support.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Steve</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hello John (and everyone else in the forum),</p>
<p>I'm a new visitor at this forum and it this is my first post. I look forward to more sharing and learning in the future.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The first condition that I would investigate the "weak draft". Is the flame lazy too? Is the equipment in place the same as what the flue was originally designed for?</p>
<p>I find the best place to contact when at a loss is the manufacturer's technical support.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Steve</p>
<p></p> I have to agree with Kurt. 20…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-07-31:6069565:Comment:1629492014-07-31T14:52:24.895ZLarry Nissmanhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/LarryNissman
<p>I have to agree with Kurt. 2000 ppm is exceedingly high. I have tested hundreds of hot water heater (NG, Oil) and mostly they come in around 16 ppm. There is clearly something wrong and we all know that a gas hot water draft can easily be compromised. </p>
<p>I have to agree with Kurt. 2000 ppm is exceedingly high. I have tested hundreds of hot water heater (NG, Oil) and mostly they come in around 16 ppm. There is clearly something wrong and we all know that a gas hot water draft can easily be compromised. </p> 2000 ppm CO is not a problem?…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-07-26:6069565:Comment:1625722014-07-26T20:18:31.866ZKurt Albershardthttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/KurtAlbershardt
<p>2000 ppm CO is not a problem? Really? In what universe?</p>
<p>2000 ppm CO is not a problem? Really? In what universe?</p> hey thanks for the links. Ver…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-07-10:6069565:Comment:1615702014-07-10T13:37:37.594ZMatthew Lutzhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/MatthewLutz
<p>hey thanks for the links. Very informative on FVIR units</p>
<p>hey thanks for the links. Very informative on FVIR units</p> The problem with a high CO in…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-07-06:6069565:Comment:1609752014-07-06T05:19:18.353ZJames P. Weingardthttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/JamesPWeingardt
<p>The problem with a high CO in the flue is that if conditions such as floor movement, new fans installed in the house, insulation/air sealing issues may allow a system that already has high CO escape. High CO will multiply when in a confined space at a high rate and create unsafe conditions.. </p>
<p>The problem with a high CO in the flue is that if conditions such as floor movement, new fans installed in the house, insulation/air sealing issues may allow a system that already has high CO escape. High CO will multiply when in a confined space at a high rate and create unsafe conditions.. </p> Thanks to everyone for the gr…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-06-24:6069565:Comment:1593412014-06-24T19:17:04.809ZJohn Shillitohttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/JohnShillito
<p>Thanks to everyone for the great replies. I contacted the manufacturer, and the reply I was given by way of their technical department was that 2000 ppm CO is not a problem as long as it is venting properly out of the home. Testing for CO in the first place is not part of the installation or servicing of their water heaters!</p>
<p>Tom Delconte said: "As declared above the home owner has the complete legal and practical responsibility to correct the condition, or must replace the equipment.…</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for the great replies. I contacted the manufacturer, and the reply I was given by way of their technical department was that 2000 ppm CO is not a problem as long as it is venting properly out of the home. Testing for CO in the first place is not part of the installation or servicing of their water heaters!</p>
<p>Tom Delconte said: "As declared above the home owner has the complete legal and practical responsibility to correct the condition, or must replace the equipment. There is no expert in this field, not even at the water heater company."</p>
<p>How right you are! Not even at the company.</p>
<p>I found a local installer, who at least took the time to speak to me on the phone, but could seemingly only wrap his brain around CO readings in the house, not in the vent. When I told him what I meant, he told me to test in the vent connector, after any elbows, and with the dillution air the reading would surely drop to below 100 ppm! Oh Brother................</p>
<p></p> Eric &amp; Larry are both rig…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-06-13:6069565:Comment:1589212014-06-13T14:57:48.943ZTom DelContehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/tomdelconte
<p>Eric &amp; Larry are both right , recorded here: <a href="http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html" target="_blank">http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html</a> this site is super great!</p>
<p>Eric &amp; Larry are both right , recorded here: <a href="http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html" target="_blank">http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html</a> this site is super great!</p> A common cause that I have se…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-06-13:6069565:Comment:1590102014-06-13T01:40:29.268ZBrad Cookhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/BradCook
<p>A common cause that I have seen is undersized gas supply piping, especially when a combustion appliance is added to the line. Undersized gas supply pipe = lower gas pressure =&gt; high CO</p>
<p>A common cause that I have seen is undersized gas supply piping, especially when a combustion appliance is added to the line. Undersized gas supply pipe = lower gas pressure =&gt; high CO</p> when we do cleaning for air c…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-06-12:6069565:Comment:1588032014-06-12T17:59:37.361ZEric Kjelshushttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/EricKjelshus
<p>when we do cleaning for air conditioning or furnace work we also clean the air filter on the FVIR hot water heater. look at my web sight under "peak" HVAC <a href="http://www.ericsenergy.com" target="_blank">www.ericsenergy.com</a> I have seen 100's of full hot water heater screens then will not get the air to run. When do a flue gas test the O2 JUST GOES DOWN to under 2% and then CO go up - I have seen 1560PPM CO off the hot water heater</p>
<p>when we do cleaning for air conditioning or furnace work we also clean the air filter on the FVIR hot water heater. look at my web sight under "peak" HVAC <a href="http://www.ericsenergy.com" target="_blank">www.ericsenergy.com</a> I have seen 100's of full hot water heater screens then will not get the air to run. When do a flue gas test the O2 JUST GOES DOWN to under 2% and then CO go up - I have seen 1560PPM CO off the hot water heater</p> Hello: If it's an FVIR heate…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-06-12:6069565:Comment:1585872014-06-12T17:07:12.786ZLarry Weingartenhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/LarryWeingarten
<p>Hello: If it's an FVIR heater, there can be restriction in the air intake caused by nearly invisible dust. Washing off (or blowing off, or vacuuming) the intake screen and flame arrestor might not be a bad thing to do. I'd also check the flue design (according to the National Fuel Gas Code) to see if it is likely to provide good draft.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yours, Larry Weingarten</p>
<p>Hello: If it's an FVIR heater, there can be restriction in the air intake caused by nearly invisible dust. Washing off (or blowing off, or vacuuming) the intake screen and flame arrestor might not be a bad thing to do. I'd also check the flue design (according to the National Fuel Gas Code) to see if it is likely to provide good draft.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yours, Larry Weingarten</p>